Editorial

is a member, also held its 3rd Wildlife Forum within the framework of OWN. The forum was coordinated by the CIC, and the event explored wildlife management issues from the perspective of a wide-range of organisations with different focuses and objectives.

On top of this, the CIC took on the role of Secretariat in the organisation of the 35th Congress of the International Union of Game Biologists (IUGB). Bringing together game biologists, particularly those from the younger generation, saw the exploration of innovative ideas within this discipline, and much stimulating discussions surrounding its future. In addition to these international conferences, the CIC had its own stand within the exhibition halls of OWN. A number of exciting events were organised there for exhibition attendees and members alike, including workshops with the European Landowners Organization (ELO), a special side-event for World Migratory Bird Day and presentations by experts on indigenous peoples.

Another interesting aspect of OWN was the 2021 World Conservation Forum (WCF) which was organised within the framework of the exhibition. The WCF was a platform for individuals, organisations, associations – from the private, public, and non-profit sectors – to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues related to conservation and wildlife management.

Philipp Hamer, President of the CIC (CIC Deputy President at the time), was invited to speak at the WCF opening ceremony. There, he praised how the exhibition and the WCF looked to highlight the services that hunting renders to society. He stated that looking to highlight these aspects of hunting and sustainable use showcases the holistic benefits of hunting, rather than the activity in isolation as many currently know it.

It has been announced that the WCF will be a reoccurring conference that will continue to be hosted annually. This poses an excellent opportunity to come back and reassess the issues that were explored at this year’s event, including the theme of rurality which was discussed at both the WCF and the CIC General Assembly.

For more detailed information on the activities mentioned above, we welcome you to read through this special edition of the CIC Magazine which focuses on the One with Nature exhibition and the 67th General Assembly!

Take-Home Messages From the 67th General Assembly Take-Home Messages From the 67th General Assembly

ONE WITH NATURE - RURAL VOICES, ONE WITH NATURE - RURAL VOICES, GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITIES GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The motto for the 67th General Assembly was “Rural Voices, Global Responsibilities.” The diverse range of topics that were explored at the conference - from zoonotic diseases and culture, to small game and large carnivores – all shared the same key message in relation to this motto, which was:

Rural communities need a voice. They need to come together and find ways to communicate effectively for the greater good of society and nature.

With distinguished panellists, speakers and moderators from more than 20 countries, the conference was truly international in scope. The regions that were represented at the conference included Australasia, Europe, Southern and Eastern Africa, North America, Latin America, Middle East, and South Asia.

The General Assembly also included a session from the Wildlife Forum of the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW), meaning an estimated 500 people are likely to have followed the conference deliberations, either in person or online, across the two days.

What was clear throughout is that we need to form alliances. For this, we need good narratives. The CPW itself was given as an example where entities are allied for a common cause – sustainable wildlife management. However, other unifying themes cited were climate change, culture, food, livelihoods, health or even the countryside itself.

Various speakers stressed the need to think about the present and the future. Our actions today in the countryside will continue to play a huge role in the health of nature and people for decades and centuries to come. Many referred to the COVID-19 pandemic both as a reminder of the respect that nature deserves and as a reason why the sustainable management of natural resources is so crucial.

When it comes to health, it is ill-conceived to focus solely on wildlife, especially considering the major role of domestic animals in disease transmission. Speakers emphasised during the conference that diseases transmitted specifically by wildlife are not as common as some might think. This further highlights the need for education and sensitisation on the realities of the countryside. In relation to education, many spoke about the need to bridge the rural-urban divide. One reality that needs to be known is the fact that living in true harmony or coexistence with wildlife is simply not practical and achievable. What is perhaps more feasible is that we seek to minimise human-wildlife conflict and to find a balance that is sustainable

Few could argue the inherent links between humans and rural areas, whether or not these are visible today. In fact, history shows us that many cultures and traditions developed directly from the countryside. These cultures need to be understood and respected. As a concrete example, speakers talked about the importance of reconciling community rights and cultural identity with the management of zoonotic risk and the protection of natural resources. Cultures have greatly influenced nature conservation over time, with hunting being just one example of how culture can guide the management of ecosystems and their components.

The recognition of culture also presents a good narrative that can be communicated. Culture is a platform to share, a responsibility to protect, and even a “weapon” that can be used, amongst other things, in the defence and support of rurality or hunting.

Ultimately, local people need to see value. They need to benefit from nature, including wildlife. Unless you can get rural people to support and buy-in to wildlife conservation, it will remain an uphill battle. On this note, many spoke about the services provided by hunters such as predator control, population management, habitat creation and maintenance, as well as food. These are tangible rewards, yet some speakers believed that the loss of small game could impact the ability to showcase these benefits from hunting. This further highlights the importance of having a good narrative. The services provided by hunters present a good message for communications. In this regard, work is constantly needed to make sure these messages remain factual and current.

Considering the above, it is clear that all countryside actors, whilst different, are intertwined and must work together. Alliances are needed to create a powerful and meaningful voice that can be heard. Paying attention to the needs of local communities is a critical factor in creating this voice.

However, in order for alliances and their messages to be heard and covered by the media, they will need to be interesting. To do this, we should look to combine factual data with stories in a way that engages the public.

Ultimately, a lot boils down to the fact that many segments of society have lost the deep respect for nature that once existed. This has led to “invasions” of natural habitats. Perhaps one of the most important narratives that needs to be formed, emphasised, and re-emphasised, is that we as humans are dependent on nature. In turn, we rely on rural areas. No matter what the advances in science, this will continue to be the case.

We need strong custodians of rural areas, we need them to come together, and we need them to effectively communicate their work and its importance.

Detailed summaries of each of the sessions are provided hereafter.